Many Arsenal fans will have been left angry and frustrated at the news their only transfer window signing was injured before even joining the Gunners.

But the reactions of pundits Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson – both former Arsenal players themselves – when the news of Kim Kallstrom’s injury was announced on Sky’s Soccer Saturday, perfectly summed up the fiasco.

Despair. That’s the only word to describe the pair’s reaction. Complete and utter despair.

Kallstrom is set to miss at least six games with a back injury Arsene Wenger and the club knew about before he signed on the dotted line.

Yet the Swedish international still joined the Gunners on loan until the end of the season and remained their own January acquisition.